Day 14 set to begin; prosecution could rest with Abbruzzese

The much-anticipated testimony of Loudonville businessman Jared Abbruzzese is set for 9 a.m. when the federal corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno continues today in U.S. District Court.

Abbruzzese, a longtime friend of Bruno, was prepared to testify Thursday as he waited outside the hallway of Judge Gary Sharpe’s courtroom in the James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse, schmoozing at times with both a federal prosecutor and the ex-leader’s son, former Rensselaer County District Attorney Kenneth Bruno.

Abbruzzese is expected to be questioned about his employment of Bruno as a “consultant” at several Abbruzzese entities in which the powerful senator raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The employment, evidence shows, came after Evident Technologies, a Troy-based company Abbruzzese helped create, was tapped for two $250,000 state grants through Bruno.

Federal prosecutors allege that to make up for would-be payments to Bruno, Abbruzzese later bought a horse from Bruno – valued by one witness at less than $5,000 and once given away free — for $80,000.

Abbruzzese was also part of a group that tried to take over New York’s racetracks.

His testimony, estimated to last until about noon, is expected to wrap up the government’s case.